From the moment fans walked into Phoebe Bridgers’ Boston concert at TD Garden on Oct. 6, their phones were stripped from them. They were placed in a little pouch with a locking device akin to clothing security tags– enclosed for the duration of the concert.
While this idea of restricting phones from concert attendees isn’t new in practice, it’s entirely new in its necessity, with concerts in this day and age constantly being filled to the brim with people watching the artists perform through the videos they’re taking.
The inability of being able to check texts, emails, and all communication outlets before the concert meant attendees were left walking around the inside of the venue aimlessly, with their phone pouch shoulder bag–an accessory that, if you told anyone at concerts decades ago now existed, would be flabbergasted at the need for such an invention. In case of an emergency, people were able to visit various designated phone-use areas in the venue, where event staff could unlock their Yondr pouch.
Although daunting at first, crowds quickly began laughing and chatting with those around them to fill the silence that their phones previously would’ve filled. I mean, after you’ve picked up a ridiculously overpriced hoodie, a $10 fountain drink, and the most basic–but still expensive–bare-bones hot dog you’ll ever find, there truly isn’t anything else to do but talk to the people sitting beside you.
The removal of outside devices allowed the crowds to flourish; in a time when Gen Z is known for carrying their phones with them constantly, it forced people to look outside of their comfort zone of mindless scrolling to fill the time, and instead spend it interacting with those around them.
“We built more community because we had to just stand there for two hours in between Alex G and Phoebe Bridgers…” said Smith College student Lilah Ricciardi ’29, “I made friends with the people beside me just because we didn’t have anything else to do.”
The great Smith student pilgrimage to Boston for Bridgers was apparent as ever, as you could be casually walking down any of the floors of TD Garden and see someone who you sit next to in class every day.
“We found other Smith students, and we were like, ‘Oh my God, wait, you look so familiar,’” said Vivian Jenkins ’30.
With the removal of phones putting an emphasis on staying in the moment of the concert and not taking meaningless videos, it begins to foster a shared connection in the attendees’ ability to solely enjoy the artist outside of casual day-to-day listening through their headphones.
“Usually at concerts I feel like I need to have at least a few photos and videos to remember it, but not having that option was very liberating,” expressed Amelie Kim ’30.
Recording concerts can occasionally be for people’s own benefit and remembrance of the event, but often we see that the videos taken are typically just posted to various forms of social media.
But the removal of fans’ phones didn’t stop them from finding ways to report back to social media about their concert experience–with many people drawing out their interpretations of the concert’s lighting design, set design, and Bridgers’ concert outfits.
“I feel like [the removal of phones] deterred fans who were just there to get TikTok content from the front row, and it weeded out all of them so that the real fans could actually have a good experience,” added Ricciardi, who’s seen Bridgers 10 times.
Bridgers lifted this burden of worrying about taking enough videos, photos, or any possible distractions that will take them out of the music itself.
Phoebe Bridgers fans waving their hands in the air during “Scott Street” at TD Garden in Boston. (Photo by Matt Grub)
“You could look out into the crowd and see during Scott Street, everybody was putting their hands up and waving,” said Nell Strength ’29.
Audience participation was at an all-time high throughout Bridgers’ set, as the crowd begged to be noticed with their innovative use of lighters during more intimate songs, showing that just because their phones’ flashlights aren’t able to be accessed doesn’t mean they won’t continue with tradition.
“Thank you for putting your phones away and making this easier for me,” Bridgers revealed to crowds about halfway through the concert.
With Bridgers’ songs being incredibly personal, especially in her new album, “Lost Weekend,” the absence of phones could be seen as a relief from performing such emotionally taxing music.
Actually looking around at the audience, you were reminded of how beautiful it is to see people genuinely taking in the music, as they all held their friends, lovers, or family members.
“It was almost ethereal, like how it felt. Being with my friends and not worrying about what is happening on my phone, the notifications we’re getting, or stuff like that. Something that I’ve never experienced before,” said Bella Quiroa ’29.
We have gotten to the point where artists have to lock away our devices, which is completely telling of our societal habits, but the sweet and friendly energy that came from the lack of phones showcased that this practice is here to stay.
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